The Australian Government’s higher building standards for aged care facilities were already providing older Australians with better living environments, Federal Minister for Ageing Julie Bishop said today.

Ms Bishop is in Adelaide to officially open a new world class, $18 million aged care home in North Plympton.

The Bucklands Residential Care Facility, developed by Southern Cross Care (SA) Inc to replace the organisation’s The Pines Nursing Home, incorporates the new aged care building certification standards which will come into effect in 2008.

Ms Bishop said the new standards reflected growing community expectations regarding space, privacy, amenity and quality of life for older Australian in residential aged care homes.

“The buildings in which we live can make a positive difference to our state of health and happiness, our safety and ability to do the things we enjoy,” Mrs Bishop said.

“This new complex reflects the very high standards which the Australian aged care industry can meet, in partnership with the Australian Government, to provide the quality of care and accommodation that older Australians expect and deserve.

“In South Australia, the Australian Government funds almost 18,000 residential and community aged care places to ensure older South Australians receive the care they need when and where they need it.”

The 146 residents at The Pines will transfer to the Bucklands complex in mid-December.

Bucklands has single rooms with ensuite bathrooms. The complex incorporates three interconnecting two-storey wings linked to the restored original Bucklands homestead dating from 1882, which now includes the home’s library.